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Longing - 6 dictionary results

long⋅ing

  [lawng-ing, long-]
Use Longing in a Sentence
–noun
1. strong, persistent desire or craving, esp. for something unattainable or distant: filled with longing for home.
2. an instance of this: a sudden longing to see old friends.
–adjective
3. having or characterized by persistent or earnest desire: a longing look.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME; OE langung; see long 2 , -ing 1

Related forms:
long⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
long⋅ing⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. aspiration. See desire. 3. desirous, yearning.

Antonyms:
1. apathy.

long

2  [lawng, long]
–verb (used without object)
to have an earnest or strong desire or craving; yearn: to long for spring; to long to return home.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME longen, OE langian grow longer, yearn after, summon; see long 1

Synonyms:
See yearn.

long

3  [lawng, long]
–verb (used without object)
1. Archaic. to be suitable or fitting.
2. Obsolete. to be the possession; belong.
Origin:
1150–1200; ME longen to be suitable or proper, belong, deriv. of long on account (of), attributable (to), dependent (on), OE gelang belonging (to), dependent (on); see along
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Longing
long 2   (lông, lŏng)   
intr.v.   longed, long·ing, longs
To have an earnest, heartfelt desire, especially for something beyond reach.

[Middle English longen, from Old English langian; see del-1 in Indo-European roots.]
long·ing   (lông'ĭng, lŏng'-)   
n.  A strong persistent yearning or desire, especially one that cannot be fulfilled.
long'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Longing

Long"ing\, n. An eager desire; a craving; a morbid appetite; an earnest wish; an aspiration.

Put on my crown; I have immortal longings in me. --Shak.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : Longing
Spanish: anhelo, deseo, añoranza,
German: das Verlangen,
Japanese: 切望
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